World’s first waterproof bionic arm submerged in water tank

By Sejal Mandal

An amazing video shows the world’s first fully waterproof bionic arm submerged in a water tank.

Open Bionics, based in Bristol, UK, launched its state-of-the-art Hero RGD and Hero PRO bionic hands on April 3, 2025.

The company invested $2 million and four years into research and development, incorporating feedback from around 1,000 existing Hero Arm users.

These two groundbreaking devices are not only twice as fast as leading bionic hands, but they are also completely wireless, feature 360-degree rotating wrists, have swappable attachments, and are the only bionic hands in the world that are fully waterproof.

All electronics are built into the palm, making them water-resistant and allowing users to swap in sport attachments on the go.

The technology is now available on the NHS in the UK and is funded by Medicare and Medicaid in the United States.

Samantha, co-founder of Open Bionics said: “The design pushes the very boundaries of what is physically possible.

"All componentry is held in the palm of the hand, making it the first design ever built to house a battery enabling wireless control and importantly enabling amputees to be able to get it wet without worrying about frying electronics, - something that has plagued amputees with bionic hands for a very long time.

"It allows amputees to live more freely, without worrying about water damage or carrying multiple prosthetic arms.”